Chapter 5
The door to the office Beth Walden has been using is open, and I step inside. Beth sits behind a tidy desk, typing on her laptop.
“Betty,” she says, looking up and flashing a smile. “Come on in. Take a seat.”
I sink into one of the plush chairs across from her, my heart pounding. Please let me get it. Please let me get it!
“Betty, I”ll cut straight to the chase.” Beth closes her laptop and leans back in her chair. “I’m pleased to let you know that Mr. Jackson and I would like to offer you the promotion to Junior Loan Officer. You would be an invaluable asset to the team, and I sincerely hope you’ll accept our offer. You’ve been with us for less than a year, but you have experience from your time in Portland, plus you’ve done an outstanding job since you joined us at the Jefferson branch of Heartland Regional Bank.”
My face splits into a grin as relief and excitement surge through me like a tidal wave. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Walden! I accept! I promise I won”t let you down.”
“That is wonderful to hear,” she replies, beaming at me. “You”ll start your training in two weeks. Let me give you the details. And please, call me Beth. Mrs. Walden is my mother-in-law.”
Beth hands me a printed schedule filled with a solid week of training sessions. A deep rush of satisfaction fills me as I look at it. Everything I wanted when I moved to Jefferson is starting to happen.
“Thank you again, Beth,” I say, clutching the schedule to my chest. “This opportunity means the world to me.”
“Your hard work paid off,” she says, nodding. “We”re excited to see what you can do, Betty.”
I leave Beth”s office and walk back to my desk, grinning and holding my head high. This promotion is the first step toward building a better future for myself and my future family. Everything in my life is starting to come together.
I’m just not sure where I stand with Clark.
* * *
After work,Janice and I rush through the rain and into Hoop Shot, our local sports bar, eager to celebrate my promotion. Perched on our tall bar stools, we clink glasses. My eyes crinkle with happiness as I savor the sweet taste of my strawberry margarita.
“See! I knew you’d win the promotion!” Janice exclaims, her voice bubbling with excitement. “You”re a better worker. The new regional manager, Beth Walden, is young and smart. She”s supposed to be amazing to work with. Her brother is Champ—you know the guy who runs Champ”s Gym? He started that self-defense class for women.”
“Really? I saw that video of the woman who knocked out her ex at the fair. She was pretty badass,” I say, taking another sip of my drink. “Well, I”m glad Beth saw potential in me. You should’ve seen Bonnie’s face after I got the news!”
“Betty, I said you were better for the promotion,” Janice replies with a smirk. “Bonnie”s always been so full of herself. I don’t wish people ill, but it’s not bad for her to have a little humble pie.”
I nod and smile. I’m the same way, but I can’t deny the satisfaction that exploded in me when Beth told me I got the promotion. It seemed like a long shot, but I’m glad I didn’t let my worries about being the newest employee at the bank hold me back from applying.
“Betty, look over there,” Janice whispers, nodding toward a man leaning against the bar. He”s tall, broad-shouldered, handsome, and looking at me. “He’s been looking at you since he arrived. Why don”t you go talk to him?”
I shake my head, feeling a familiar flutter in my chest as my thoughts drift to Clark. “No, thanks. I”m not interested.”
“Girl.” She laughs and places the back of her hand against my forehead like she’s checking to see if I have a fever. “Who are you and what did you do with my friend? He might be worth getting to know. You should take him home and celebrate, if you catch my drift.” Janice waggles her eyebrows suggestively.
I laugh and choke on my drink. “Positive,” I reply, swirling the ice in my glass.
I haven’t told her that I’ve never slept with a man. I admire her gusto for dating lots of men, but that’s not me. My heart belongs to someone else, even if he doesn”t know it yet. And tonight, I”m celebrating my success, not searching for a new romance.
“All right. I can”t help but ask,” Janice says, leaning in closer. “Are you seeing anyone? Have you been holding out on me?”
My cheeks flush as I think about Clark. “Well, not exactly... but there”s someone.”
“Ooh, tell me more!” she exclaims, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
“His name”s Clark,” I say, hesitating before divulging the details of our dinner together. “He”s my landlord. We had dinner the other night. It was nice, really nice. The way he looked at me, the conversation... it felt like there was something there.”
“Did anything happen?” Janice asks, nudging my arm playfully. “You’ve mentioned before that he’s easy on the eyes. Those ex-Army guys usually are. Those are muscles you can have a good time with!”
“Yeah, he sure is.” I sigh, remembering how his t-shirt stretched across his muscular chest. “Something almost happened. We were inches apart, and then... he pulled away.”
“Aw, Betty,” Janice says sympathetically. “That must”ve been tough. What do you think happened?”
I let out a shaky sigh. “I don”t know. Maybe he regrets it? And that makes me sad because I really like him, Janice.”
“Have you talked to him since?” she inquires.
“No,” I reply, frustration evident in my voice. “Well, not to his face anyway. We’ve talked on the phone about the repairs. I found a wet patch in my bedroom closet, and apparently, there’s a leak from the roof. But I hope we can get to know each other better while I stay with him.”
“Staying together?” Janice raises an eyebrow and leans even closer. “You’ve been holding out on me.”
“Long story.” I laugh nervously. “I can’t stay in my bedroom while they fix the wall. He offered me his spare room, so…I’ll be staying with him for a few days. Starting tonight.”
As soon as I say the words, a mass of butterflies fills my stomach. What was I thinking when I accepted his offer? How will I be able to get any sleep?
“Wow, that”s... interesting. Good luck, girl!” she grins, raising her glass in a toast. “Maybe he’ll realize what an awesome babe you are and snatch you up!”
“Cheers,” I say, clinking my glass against hers.
I’m hoping the same thing. Every time I see Clark lately, the wall around him seems to crumble a little. Maybe a chance to spend more time together can help fully break down that wall. If staying with him while the repairs are done doesn’t do it, I’ll have to accept nothing will ever happen and move on, no matter how attracted I am to Clark.
“Another round?” Janice asks, her eyes twinkling.
“Thanks, but no,” I reply, shaking my head. “I need to get home and pack a few things before meeting Clark. It’s probably best not to be plastered, you know?”
“All right, girl. Have fun!” She winks. “I might go talk to Mr. Hottie over there since you don’t want to.”
“Knock yourself out,” I tease. The truth is, I can’t wait to get home and see Clark. “Let me know if anything happens!”